RAF Cosford Museum to host aerospace summer school for teenagers
Youngsters are being given the chance to get to grips with the future of aerospace engineering during a week-long residential summer school at RAF Cosford.
Teenagers aged between 14 and 15 are being invited to apply for the STAAR programme, which will take place in July.
Up to 40 students will be learn first-hand about the design and development of manned aircraft and other advanced aerospace systems.
The programme was unveiled at the museum, with pupils from across the county having a tour around the museum and getting a chance to try out some activities.
Organisers said the STARR has been designed to inspire young adults to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based fields.
Maggie Appleton, chief executive officer, Royal Air Force Museum said: “At the RAF Museum we are passionate about inspiring young people into STEM careers, capturing their imaginations through stories of the RAF and its partners, stories drawn from the rich shared history and innovative vision of the future.
"We are working in partnership with Northrop Grumman, RAF Cosford and Tablet Academy to develop and deliver an exciting new residential aerospace programme for young people which will be launched this summer.”
Andrew Tyler, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Europe said: “Science-based expertise is at the very heart of the high-technology culture of our industry and at Northrop Grumman we share the RAF Museum’s commitment to promoting STEM education to help inspire young men and women to pursue academic studies and careers in STEM-related areas.
"We have built a strong partnership with the RAF Museum through our support of the redevelopment programme for the Hendon site, and we are pleased that we have been able to extend this to include the creation of our new aerospace STEM programme.”
The partnership between Northrop Grumman, RAF Museum, RAF Cosford and Tablet Academy was first announced at the 2017 RAF Cosford Air Show. In July, 20 students from four local schools took part in a successful STAAR "pilot" programme and this summer the programme is being rolled out nationally for students across the country who may want to apply for places.
Applications for the 2018 STAAR residency are now open online via the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and must be completed by a teacher explaining why their student is suitable for the programme.
The closing date for applications is May 7 and successful applicants will be announced on May 21.
The class of 2018 will be invited to attend the RAF Cosford Air Show where they will have the opportunity to meet with fellow recruits, STAAR partners and enjoy a day viewing the very pinnacle of the aerospace industry. Recruits will also be handed their starter packs and T-shirts ready to start the residential week in July.
